eprintid: 6926
rev_number: 4
userid: 6
dir: disk0/00/00/69/26
datestamp: 2011-11-10 19:35:24
lastmod: 2016-11-15 13:39:12
status_changed: 2011-11-10 19:35:24
type: thesis_degree
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: lehman174@yahoo.com
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Lehman, Tanya Justine
creators_email: lehman174@yahoo.com
title: Empowering Our Youth: Using school-based programs to increase knowledge and self-efficacy among youth to make positive behavior choices.
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_gsph_behavioralcommhealthsci
full_text_status: public
keywords:  behavior change theories; health education; Comprehensive health education; adolescent self-efficacy; youth risk behaviors
abstract: The role that schools play in the health of our youth is of public health significance because they have the ability to provide health services directly to children and affect health outcomes. Many of today's health challenges among youth are onset by behavioral choices that they make. Schools are in the unique position to make an impact on behavioral choices through the use of health education programs and services. As adolescent issue become more complex, it is essential for schools to take on a comprehensive school health education program. The comprehensive approach focuses on increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior intention, while providing an environment that is conducive to maintaining and sustaining positive health behaviors into adulthood. This paper advocates for the use of comprehensive health education programs to target adolescent problem areas and increase overall health and well-being. The main concept and theme in this paper is establishing, improving, and increasing self-efficacy using comprehensive school health programs to address the particular needs of adolescents based on theories of health behavior change that are discussed throughout the paper. Evidence from successful school-based programs suggests that the comprehensive approach is powerful in increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior intention/change. Policies need to be centered on improving school health, and schools also need to take the initiative to implement a strong framework into their systems. An increase in morbidity and mortality among adolescents suggests the need for continued coordinated efforts in order to decrease negative behaviors that may carry into adulthood.
date: 2009-06-29
date_type: completed
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etdcommittee_type: committee_chair
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_name: Keane, Christopher
etdcommittee_name: Jaros, Kenneth
etdcommittee_name: Songer, Thomas
etdcommittee_email: crkcity@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: kjaros@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: tjs@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_id: CRKCITY
etdcommittee_id: KJAROS
etdcommittee_id: TJS
etd_defense_date: 2009-04-13
etd_approval_date: 2009-06-29
etd_submission_date: 2009-04-09
etd_access_restriction: immediate
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
assigned_doi: doi:10.5195/pitt.etd.2011.6926
thesis_type: thesis
degree: MPH
committee: Christopher Keane, ScD, MPH (crkcity@pitt.edu) - Committee Chair
committee: Kenneth Jaros, PhD (kjaros@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
committee: Thomas Songer, PhD (tjs@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
etdurn: etd-04092009-132334
other_id: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04092009-132334/
other_id: etd-04092009-132334
citation:   Lehman, Tanya Justine  (2009) Empowering Our Youth: Using school-based programs to increase knowledge and self-efficacy among youth to make positive behavior choices.  Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)  
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/6926/1/lehmantjl_etd2009.pdf